Power play: Bible, cross and holy oil 

By Levi Obijiofor 

Friday, 3 October 2008 

The suspended chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sam Edem, is a troubled man. You will understand why, shortly. The drama is still unfolding. And the exact size of the dramatis personae is yet to be mustered by investigators.  

Last weekend, Edem addressed journalists in Abuja and blamed his current predicament on his enemies – real and imagined. He said he had been caught in an intricate web of conspiracy laid out for him and for which he had no prior knowledge or warning. He said certain people plotted to demonise his character and to get rid of him as the boss of the NDDC. While he was unwilling to mention the names of his adversaries, he was quick to divulge the cities where his opponents lived, namely Port Harcourt, Uyo and Abuja. 

But how did Edem’s agony begin? How did a man assigned to facilitate the development of the Niger Delta region fall out of favour with his superiors? According to Edem: “It all started with a strange prayer proposal sent to me by a man who introduced himself as a pastor… The supposed man of God came with a bible, a cross and a holy oil. Never in my widest imaginations did I know that I was dealing with a dangerous native doctor and fraudster until the bubble burst.” 

OK, we’ve heard the introductory bit but what, in the first place, led to the “prayer proposal”? Who requested a special prayer session? If Edem did not ask for prayer, why did he accept a proposal tabled by his security aide? He did not specifically answer the questions but he was able to provide the trajectory of his ordeal. Hear him again: “One prayer session led to another. One prophesy led to another. Before I came to my senses, like any other victim of 419, I had been swindled a huge sum of money running into millions of naira.” Edem did not dismiss the possibility that he might have been hypnotised before he signed off huge sums of money.  

It is absurd to think that a man of Edem’s character, high position and maturity could be so easily conned by a self-professed pastor to whom Edem allegedly and willingly gave staggering amounts of money and a fleet of cars, not once but several times. The true reason why Edem parted with so much money and personal property has not yet been revealed.  

Edem must be traumatized in the sense that he was formerly a complainant but has now become a suspect. He was arrested, detained and then released on bail. But the ordeal has not stopped him from talking freely and, if I may say, loosely. I am concerned that Edem is hurling allegations against the police hierarchy in a state instead of taking his case to the court. If he were so sure about the strength and worthiness of his case, why address journalists rather than take legal action?  

In every dispute, there are bound to be different interpretations. At the moment, Edem is the only one speaking. In the absence of a counter view by his so-called enemies, it is difficult to establish the veracity of his allegations. For now, we must scrutinise him on account of what he narrated to journalists in Abuja. Given the high level and sensitive nature of his previous responsibility, should he have been involved in such a messy deal with a pastor whom he had no prior knowledge of?  

There are aspects of Edem’s story which did not quite add up. And there are certainly questions which the press failed to ask the man. For instance, what compelling reasons did he have to accept the proposition from his security aide to solicit the services of a pastor? What manner of personal problems did he encounter to warrant his unquestioning acceptance of an unknown pastor into his house? Was Edem under a spell or was he so naïve that he freely exposed himself to the pastor’s words of deception?  

In life there are certain personal blunders and tragedies that don’t deserve to be laundered publicly, particularly when men and women in high positions, who should serve as role models, make a fool of themselves in the expectation of religious miracles. Edem must now admit that he has failed this basic test of character. 

True or false, Edem’s story raises serious questions about how people are being deceived on a massive scale through false religious injunctions. Religion is driving people crazy in Nigeria, including high-profile public servants who ought to recognise a fraud when they see one.  

In Nigeria, religion has become the opium on which many people draw wisdom or foolishness. And the fools are growing in large numbers. Social and economic problems have driven many people to the point where they have lost faith in political leaders and in our social values. Religious revivalism has gripped the nation to the point where any man or woman can start a church in their lounge room and preach anything they fancy. And there is never a shortage of followers who believe what their pastors tell them.  

One of the consequences of the proliferation of religious faiths across the country is the mushrooming of criminally minded pastors. In such a freewheeling atmosphere where anything goes, it is difficult to distinguish fake pastors from the genuine ones. It doesn’t really matter, anyway. What many traumatized and impoverished people want to hear from their pastors in Nigeria is that, with God, all things are possible. A distressed man or woman just wants to hear that his or her problems can be overpowered through the power of prayers and the grace of miracles.  

Many pastors of questionable character have lifted figurative religious injunctions from the plane of metaphor to the platform of believability. The notion that prayers alone would solve everyone’s problems is partly responsible for the ceaseless and desperate search for God in every prayer house. Social and economic problems have also turned reasonable men and women into gullible followers of dubious pastors. This is probably the reason why Edem was comprehensively and successfully conned by a pastor who was also seeking his own entry into the kingdom of the rich. 

Numerous pastors and religious denominations are proliferating in the country essentially because people have been misled into believing that the God whom they worship is the God of Nigeria and Nigerians only. It may be true that all things are possible with God but this figurative expression must not be understood literally. Things don’t work that way. No country overcomes its problems through prayers alone. Yes, religion is the soul of a nation but religious axioms that are built on hope alone constitute a mirage.  

The last time I wrote an essay in which I referred to Nigeria as a nation of pastors, I was jeered by men and women who felt I had transgressed the boundaries of their religious beliefs and the sanctity of their pastors. But see how some pastors continue to take advantage of people who choose to lower their guard and abandon their common sense. It beggars belief to think that there are rational men and women in Nigeria who still believe that the moment a pastor speaks to them or touches their head, all their problems would disappear and they would be admitted automatically into the kingdom of God.  

Robot  Villager

# 1 Power play: Bible, cross and holy oil By Levi Obijiofor Friday, 3 October 2008 The suspended chairman of the Niger Del...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 03.10.2008 07:37

ikuchi munta wei  Villager

# 2 @ author, Though i don't have this:source, But it is a known fact among the chaps in the diplomatic corps that these allegations are in line with the man's character:D. Just like you pointed out, what was his prayer point to the "pastor" or what was the intercession all about? The reason must be so strong to warrant him accepting without due diligence, a pastor brought to him by his security aide. It is appalling to say that he was "hypnotized" not once but severally to dole out large sums of monies and other gifts on several occasions before the hypnotism failed.:D I tire for for our contri people oh!! Posted by ikuchi munta wei| 03.10.2008 08:24

Dewdrops  Villager

# 3 =Robot;276197>Power play: Bible, cross and holy oil By Levi Obijiofor Friday, 3 October 2008 The suspended chairman of the Niger Del...Read the full article. But how did Edem’s agony begin? How did a man assigned to facilitate the development of the Niger Delta region fall out of favour with his superiors? According to Edem: “It all started with a strange prayer proposal sent to me by a man who introduced himself as a pastor… The supposed man of God came with a bible, a cross and a holy oil. Never in my widest imaginations did I know that I was dealing with a dangerous native doctor and fraudster until the bubble burst.” han han han han han han han han........ the funniest thing I have seen today on NVS. I just love these "Robot" articles. The very best on NVS.........praying for you like the elders in ma mama's village.... E gee Jee, E ga lata...... translated(may you always go and return from all journeys you take in this life and the world beyond) Thank you "Robot" for making my lunch of fried yam, egg and snail stew go down well with my "Krest Bitter Lemon". :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad. A country that relies on religious injunctions alone is a country of lousy people. Men and women in positions of authority must show responsibility in what they say, what they believe, what they practise and what they espouse. And they must start by telling their followers that there is a limit to optimism, including religious optimism. Optimism must be founded on pragmatism, not on romanticism. After all, hope without hard work is a useless form of optimism. God bless you my son! Ebashan! (The latest) Onye keleeeee Sonny? Sonny e keleeeeee ya!!!!!(From one of my most favorite Nigerian CD collection(Old Skoool---by Sonny Bobo....translated-------Who greet sonny.......sonny go greet am back) Religion in Nigeria is the biggest 419 ever perpetrated. Make any of those fake pastors or pastresses krase near my side make I show am say hell dey for inside this planet Earth. Gosh, I can't stand them. Serves this thieving politician right. What has he done as NDDC boss for the Niger Delta region? A fool and his money are soon parted. See the people who are preaching to others for crying out loud? Hehn? Raggamuffins! That is what you get when you abandon what God has blessed you to think with---a brain---and you decide to use another person's butt-hole to think with---a "jomgba(fake 499) wholey for that matter----to solve his/her problems. I pray that these stupid sets of Nigerian should keep falling victims to their tithe collectors as the attempt to buy salvation on here earth. Stupid people! Miserable wretches! Vermin! Posted by Dewdrops| 03.10.2008 08:28

akuluouno  Villager

# 4 Sir, I think you strived to put it as mild and as diplomatic as you can be. My take is that Edem broke the 13th commandment which states inter alia "Thou shall not be caught". If he were not caught, the untold petitions he went to the man of devil or prophecies from this dubious pastor would have come to pass and he would have ended up keeping him in permanent retainership with tax payers funds while th latter becomes and eminence grise to Edem for all the public cares. The tell tale signs that leaders or persons in authority have inhaled the psychotropical substance called religionarcotics or religeroine is when the person starts playing "god" e.g when Emperor Obasanjus wanted to go for third term. I was certain that these peddlers of relicocaine at Aso Chapel gave him some whiff to sniff. I have since called on the NDLEA to classify this new Nigerian wonder drug accordingly and take apt actions. It is not only pastors, sangokija priests and marabouts as well as imans are in the business. Not to be outwitted, Nigerian elites now take what has come to be known as "combined communion". :twisted::twisted::twisted: Dear villagers and LO, let me leave the details of combined communion and how it is being administered on these greedy elites until we meet in the biblical town of Zarapheth:D:D:D Posted by akuluouno| 03.10.2008 08:34

denker  Villager

# 5 =Dewdrops;276211>han han han han han han han han........the funniest thing I have seen today on NVS. I just love these "Robot" articles. Thank You "Robot" for making my lunch of fried yam, egg and snail stew go down well with my "Krest Bitter Lemon". :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad. ...so, you dey eat snails..nawah for you...:confused1 on a strong note, though, na who authorized dis "AKANCHAWAA NEE FEE FEE 1 OF NVS " title...? Posted by denker| 03.10.2008 08:43

Dewdrops  Villager

# 6 =denker;276218>...so, you dey eat snails..nawah for you...:confused1 on a strong note, though, na who authorized dis "AKANCHAWAA NEE FEE FEE 1 OF NVS " title...? I dey chop snails well well.......very big black ones!:D Wetin dey confuse you? Abi you no like am for "congo meat"?:p Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, I seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee now. No fine my torubu make me vomit my lunch this afternoon biko........................I know where your mind dey go.:frown: As efry bodi dey give imsef title for this NVS, even frogs, :p........I decided to give myself one too.............no permission needed.........unless you have my "edit signature" button in your hands.:biggrin: Abi is there a special place where you go to take permission? :eek: Posted by Dewdrops| 03.10.2008 08:51

Domeremember  Villager

# 7 I think it is time we told our political leaders to stop insulting our intelligence. Before it was a native doctor, now it's a pastor. Maybe it will turn out to be an imam, abah! Edem should tell us the problem he wanted the native doctor cum pastor to solve for. Our elders say that toads do not run in the day time for nothing. Posted by Domeremember| 03.10.2008 09:55

JAGA-JAGA  Villager

# 8 =Dewdrops;276211>han han han han han han han han........ the funniest thing I have seen today on NVS. I just love these "Robot" articles. The very best on NVS.........praying for you like the elders in ma mama's village.... E gee Jee, E ga lata...... translated(may you always go and return from all journeys you take in this life and the world beyond) Thank you "Robot" for making my lunch of fried yam, egg and snail stew go down well with my "Krest Bitter Lemon".:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad. God bless you my son! Ebashan! (The latest) Onye keleeeee Sonny? Sonny e keleeeeee ya!!!!!(From one of my most favorite Nigerian CD collection(Old Skoool---by Sonny Bobo....translated-------Who greet sonny.......sonny go greet am back) Religion in Nigeria is the biggest 419 ever perpetrated. Make any of those fake pastors or pastresses krase near my side make I show am say hell dey for inside this planet Earth. Gosh, I can't stand them. Serves this thieving politician right. What has he done as NDDC boss for the Niger Delta region? A fool and his money are soon parted. See the people who are preaching to others for crying out loud? Hehn? Raggamuffins! That is what you get when you abandon what God has blessed you to think with---a brain---and you decide to use another person's butt-hole to think with---a "jomgba(fake 499) wholey for that matter----to solve his/her problems. I pray that these stupid sets of Nigerian should keep falling victims to their tithe collectors as the attempt to buy salvation on here earth. Stupid people! Miserable wretches! Vermin! Dewdrops, You are very funny. You know say our people talk say "na the woman wey dey sell native maggi na him fit identify flies wey get only one eye". Literarily, Mr. Edem has just been visited by one of his numerous customers. Pastor my arse. LOL:lol: Posted by JAGA-JAGA| 03.10.2008 11:03

ttonjo  Villager

# 9 It is absurd to think that a man of Edem’s character, high position and maturity could be so easily conned by a self-professed pastor to whom Edem allegedly and willingly gave staggering amounts of money and a fleet of cars, not once but several times. The true reason why Edem parted with so much money and personal property has not yet been revealed. Hummmmmmmm, there is more to this story than meet the eye. I do not believe that such an intelligent person as Edem, could be make to part away with such a whopping sum of public funds. Not even in Okija Shrine, could he be make to waste such a large sum of money for sacrifice against Edem's invisible enemies, talk less of a mere 419 pastor. It seems to me like an illegal business ventures gone wrong. The man is yet to tell us the whole truth. It is also a criminal offense for the public office holder, to use public fund recklessly for personal use.:sad::sad::sad::sad::sad::sad::sad::sad::sad: Posted by ttonjo| 03.10.2008 12:21

ozoodoo  Villager

# 10 ttonjo, Hummmmmmmm, there is more to this story than meet the eye. I do not believe that such an intelligent person as Edem, could be make to part away with such a whopping sum of public funds. What is the basis for the above bold part? Because he is the chairman of NDDC? you dont have to be intelligent in Nigeria to be a "leader". Besides intelligence is not synonymous with deceit, crookedness, "yes sir oga", and the other despicable attributes used as ladder to the top by the vermins in position of authority in Nigeria. Posted by ozoodoo| 03.10.2008 13:17

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---